Alabama A&M University facts for kids

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Alabama A&M University

Former name	Huntsville State Normal School for Negroes (1875–1885) State Normal and Industrial School of Huntsville (1885–1896) The State Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes (1896–1919) State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute for Negroes (1919–1948) Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College (1948–1969)
Motto	"Service is Sovereignty"
Type	Public historically black land-grant university
Established	1875; 150 years ago (1875)
Founder	William Hooper Councill
Accreditation	SACS
Academic affiliations	ACES ORAU Space-grant
Endowment	$48.0 million (2019)
President	Daniel K. Wims
Students	6,001 (Fall 2018)
Postgraduates	963 (Fall 2018)
Location	Normal , Alabama , United States 34°46′57″N 86°34′07″W / 34.7826°N 86.5687°W / 34.7826; -86.5687
Campus	Midsize city, 880 acres (3.6 km²)
Colors	Maroon White
Nickname	Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I FCS – SWAC
Mascot	Butch

Significant dates

Alabama A&M University Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district

AAMU Carnegie Library. Built in 1906, it is one of the oldest buildings on campus as a part of the Normal Historic District.
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Area	291 acres (118 ha)
Architectural style	Classical Revival, Modern Movement
NRHP reference No.	01001407
Added to NRHP	December 31, 2001

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (often called Alabama A&M or AAMU) is a public university in Normal, Huntsville, Alabama. It is a special type of school called a historically black college or university (HBCU). It is also a land-grant university, which means it receives special support from the government to teach about agriculture and mechanics.

The university was started in 1875. It got its current name in 1969. Alabama A&M was one of many "normal schools" created in the 1800s. These schools trained teachers for public schools. AAMU was one of 23 such schools that trained African American teachers. Over time, many of these schools grew into colleges and then universities.

Alabama A&M is part of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. It is officially recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University Historic District has many historic buildings. These buildings are listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places.

Alabama A&M's sports teams are called the Bulldogs. They play in NCAA Division I as part of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

History of Alabama A&M University

How Alabama A&M Started

William Hooper Councill

A teacher named William Hooper Councill had a great idea. He wanted to start a school called the Huntsville State Normal School for Negroes. The state of Alabama approved his plan in 1875.

The school first opened on May 1, 1875. It was in a church on Eustis Street. There were 61 students who wanted to become teachers. Principal Councill and Rev. Alfred Hunt taught them. By 1878, the state gave the school more money. The school grew and offered more classes.

Changes and Growth Over the Years

In 1881, the teachers used their own money to buy land. This land was on West Clinton Street. By 1885, the school had about 180 students. It changed its name to State Normal and Industrial School of Huntsville. This was because it added new programs like sewing, printing, carpentry, and gardening.

By 1890, the area around the school became known as Normal, Alabama. A post office was even set up there. In 1891, the school became a land-grant college. This happened because of a law called the Morrill Act of 1890. In 1896, its name changed again to The State Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes.

More name changes happened over the years:

1919: State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute for Negroes
1948: Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College

In 1963, AAMU became fully recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This was a big step! In June 1969, the school got its current name: Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.

Recent Developments at AAMU

The early 2000s brought many new things to AAMU. A new West Campus Complex was built. The large 21,000-seat Louis Crews Stadium was also built. Many older buildings were updated. The sports teams moved up to NCAA Division I and joined the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

A new building for the School of Engineering and Technology was finished in 2002. A special program to earn a Ph.D. in Reading and Literacy also started. In 2009, Andrew Hugine became the 11th president of the university. In 2015, the school started offering scholarships for students from other states. These scholarships help students who do well in school.

Exploring the Alabama A&M Campus

Bibb Graves Hall was renamed Buchanan Hall in 2020 to honor the University's 2nd president

The campus of Alabama A&M was designed by a famous company called the Olmsted Brothers. They are known for designing beautiful parks and campuses.

The J.F. Drake Memorial Learning Resources Center was updated in 2002. It got bigger and added new features. These include a special auditorium for distance learning, meeting rooms, study areas, and a computer lab.

The State Black Archives Research Center and Museum is in the James H. Wilson Building. This building is a national historical site. Inside, on the third floor, you can find old papers, letters, and photos about AAMU's history.

Campus Buildings and Facilities

Louis Crews Stadium: This is the sixth largest stadium in Alabama. It's where the football team plays.
Alabama A&M Events Center: Opened in 2022, this center is home to the basketball teams. It also hosts graduations and other big events. It is right next to Louis Crews Stadium.

In 1994, the Mamie Foster Student Living/Learning Complex was built. In 1995, work began on the School of Business building. Construction also started on Louis Crews Stadium and the Ernest L. Knight Complex Residence Hall. The Engineering and Technology building, called Bond Hall, was finished in 2002. Classes started there in January 2003.

A group called the Normal Historic Preservation Association was started in 2009. Their goal is to help protect the historic buildings at Alabama A&M University. The campus has a bus system called the Bulldog Transit Shuttle. This helps students get around. A new dorm with 600 beds opened in January 2018. Plans for a new Event Center were approved in September 2019.

Academics at Alabama A&M

Academics means all the learning and studying that happens at the university. Alabama A&M offers many different degrees. Students can earn 41 Bachelor's degrees, 23 Master's degrees, and five PhD degrees. There is also a special honors program for students who do very well in their studies.

Colleges and Schools at AAMU

The university is divided into different colleges and schools, each focusing on specific subjects:

College of Agricultural, Life and Natural Sciences
College of Business and Public Affairs
College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences
College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences
School of Graduate Studies

Teachers and Students

There are 20 students for every teacher.
Most classes (86 percent) have fewer than 40 students.
There are 348 teachers for all programs.

In Fall 2018, there were 6,108 students at AAMU. These students came from 44 states and 11 different countries! About 42 percent of them were starting college for the first time. Students at AAMU are very involved in their community. About 75 percent of students help with community service projects.

National Space Science and Technology Center

The National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) is a special research project. NASA works with Alabama A&M and six other universities in Alabama. They all work together to do research in space science and technology. This helps connect government, schools, and businesses.

Alabama Cooperative Extension System

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System helps people in Alabama learn new things. It is a partnership between Alabama A&M University and Auburn University. This system has over 800 teachers and staff. They work in offices in all 67 counties of Alabama. They also have offices in nine cities. They help people learn about farming, health, and other important topics.

Student Life at Alabama A&M

Student life is all about what students do outside of classes. It includes clubs, sports, and other activities.

Student Activities and Groups

The Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development helps many student groups. These include:

Programs and Activities Council
Student Government Association
National Pan-Hellenic Council (for Greek letter organizations)
Social Greek Council
Student Publications

The Marching Maroon & White Band

The Marching Maroon & White

The Marching Maroon & White is the official marching band of Alabama A&M University. It has over 280 members! They have performed in famous parades like the Rose Parade. They have also been in the Honda Battle of the Bands many times. In 2023, the Marching Maroon & White made history. They were the first HBCU band to lead the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

The band has two special groups that perform with them:

The Dancin' Divas (a danceline)
The Fabulous Flags (color guard)

Alabama A&M University Choir

The Alabama A&M University Choir is also very famous. They were the first choir from an HBCU to be invited to the American Choral Festival in Germany. In 2010, they performed at the Alabama Music Educators Association Annual Conference. This was a historic moment because they were the first HBCU choir in the state to perform there. In 2014, they were invited to perform at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

Other Student Organizations

AAMU Cheerleaders
AAMU Gospel Choir
AAMU Royal Court
Sigma Tau Epsilon professional fraternity Rho chapter
Phi Beta Lambda business fraternity, Xi Xi chapter
Eta Kappa Tau Engineering and Technology fraternity – Alpha chapter
Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Pi Epsilon chapter
Nu Rho Sigma fine arts fraternity, Alpha Alpha chapter
Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity for women, Theta Zeta chapter
Tau Beta Sigma honorary band sorority, Theta Iota chapter
Voluptuous Bulldog Beauties (VBB)-Women's Plus Size Organization, and Dance Team
AAMU Southern Belles
The Collegiate 100 Black Men Of America
Student Government Association
AAMU Democrats
AAMU University Choir
M.A.N.U.P "Men of America Nurturing and Ushering Progress"
Marketing Club
Math Club
MBA Association
Poetry Club
Ward Modeling Troop, Incorporated
House Arrest Two Championship Dance Team Incorporated
Trendsetters Fashion Club
Alima Dance Company
Student Health Alliance
P.O.W.E.R.(Placing Opportunities Within Everyone's Reach) Mentor Program
Forestry club/ Fire dawgs

Alabama A&M University Andrew and Abbiegail Hugine Living Learning Hall and Wellness Center, 2018

Sports at Alabama A&M

Alabama A&M athletics logo

Alabama A&M's sports teams are called the Bulldogs. They play in NCAA Division I. This is the highest level of college sports. They are part of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The school colors are maroon and white. Their mascot is a Bulldog.

Alabama A&M has many sports for men and women:

Men's Sports: Basketball, football, baseball, golf, tennis, and track & field.
Women's Sports: Tennis, basketball, soccer, track, cross country, bowling, volleyball, and softball.
They also have men's and women's swimming clubs.

The football team plays their home games at Louis Crews Stadium. Both men's and women's basketball teams play at the Alabama A&M Events Center. Before joining the SWAC, Alabama A&M played in the NCAA Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. While in that conference, they won many championships in different sports.

Famous Athletes from AAMU

Many great athletes have come from Alabama A&M. Some of them are:

John Stallworth: A Pro Football Hall of Famer and 4-time Super Bowl Champion.
Robert Mathis: An NFL Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion.
Howard Ballard: A two-time NFL Pro Bowler.
Jearl Miles Clark: An Olympic Gold Medalist.
Desmond Cambridge: Holds the NCAA record for most steals in a single season.
Obie Trotter: Is 4th all-time in single season steals.
Mickell Gladness: Is 2nd all-time in blocks in a season. He set an NCAA Division I record with 16 blocks in one game! No other player has ever had 15 blocks in a single game.

AAMU's Radio Station

Alabama A&M University has its own radio station called WJAB 90.9 FM. It is a National Public Radio (NPR) station. WJAB broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It plays different public interest programs. It also broadcasts live coverage of Bulldog sports games.

Notable Alumni of Alabama A&M

William Hooper Councill Former slave. Founded the University in 1875 from $1,000 in Alabama state appropriations
John Stallworth Pro Football Hall of Famer and Former Pittsburgh Steeler.
Joseph Lowery American minister in the United Methodist Church and leader in the Civil Rights Movement.
Robert Mathis Retired Indianapolis Colts Defensive end
Jearl Miles Clark Olympic Gold Medalist
Ruben Studdard, Contemporary R&B, pop and gospel music singer
Don Calloway Attorney and politician from St. Louis, Missouri. Missouri House of Representatives for the 71st District in St. Louis County
Vivian Malone Jones one of the first two African American students to enroll at the University of Alabama
Frank Kearse NFL Defensive lineman
Mandela Barnes 45th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin